Urine collection device

Abstract

A urine collection device ( 50 ) comprises a collection means ( 55 ) to collect urine voided, advantageously midstream, by the user. The device ( 50 ) has an outlet means ( 51 ) integral with the collection means ( 55 ) to direct urine out of the collection means ( 55 ). Both the collection means ( 55 ) and the outlet means ( 51 ) are operable moveable from a flat storage configuration and an expanded in-use configuration. The device ( 50 ) also includes one or more resilient means ( 53 ) which are so biased to cause the device ( 50 ) to move from the storage to the expanded configuration. The resilient means ( 53 ) can include an elastic band or resilient strips ( 14 ) located on either or both of the collection ( 55 ) and outlet means ( 51 ). Tabs or gloves can be included as part of the device ( 50 ) in order to reduce the risk of the user's hands becoming contaminated by urine.

1 . A urine collection device comprising: 
 a collection means to collect urine voided by a user;    an outlet means, integral with the collection means, to direct the urine out of the collection means;    the collection means and outlet means being operably moveable between a storage configuration and an expanded in-use configuration, the device including one or more resilient means, so biased to cause the device to move from the storage to the expanded configuration.    
   
   
       2 . A urine collection device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device is symmetric at least along a central longitudinal plane.  
   
   
       3 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device is flat when in its storage configuration.  
   
   
       4 . A urine collection device according to  claim 1 , wherein the or each resilient means comprises one or more resilient strips located on one or both of the collection means and the outlet means.  
   
   
       5 . A urine collection device according to  claim 1 , wherein the resilient means includes an elastic band amounted on the collection means.  
   
   
       6 . A urine collection device according to claims  1 , wherein the device is formed substantially wholly of a self-supporting resilient material  
   
   
       7 . A urine collection device according to  claim 6 , wherein the self-supporting resilient material is a semi-rigid plastics material.  
   
   
       8 . A urine collection device according to  claim 6 , wherein the resilient material is biodegradable.  
   
   
       9 . A urine collection device according to claims  1 , wherein the collection means is funnel shaped to collect and channel urine to the outlet means.  
   
   
       10 . A urine collection device according to claims  1 , which includes one or more tabs for positioning the device in-use so as to reduce the risk of a user or individual handling the device coming into direct contact with the urine.  
   
   
       11 . A urine collection device according to claims  1 , further comprising a glove portion to cover the user's hand during use.  
   
   
       12 . A urine collection device according to claims  1 , wherein the device includes diagnostic strips on the surfaces of the device which, in use, come into contact with urine.  
   
   
       13 . A urine collection device according to claims  1 , wherein the outlet means includes an adhesive strip to hold the device in contact with a sample tube.  
   
   
       14 . A urine collection device according to  claim 1 , wherein the outlet means is a spout.  
   
   
       15 . A urine collection device according to  claim 14 , wherein the spout has, in-use, a square or rectangular cross-section.  
   
   
       16 . A urine collection device according to claims  1 , further comprising a sample tube, removably attached to the outlet means.  
   
   
       17 . A urine collection device according to claims  1 , further comprising an overflow means to direct excess urine out of the device and preventing the overflow of urine from the device.  
   
   
       18 . A urine collection device according to claims  1 , wherein the device is supplied in a flat folded configuration and held in such configuration by packaging material.  
   
   
       19 . (Cancelled)  
   
   
       20 . A diagnostic device comprising: 
 a collection means to collect urine voided by a user;    one or more diagnostic strips on the surface of the device which, in-use, come into contact with urine;    the collection means being operably moveable between a storage configuration and an expanded in-use configuration, the device including one or more resilient means, so biased to cause the device to move from the storage to the expanded configuration.